“A hinged AFO (ankle foot orthosis) will allow you to have your foot flex up, but not have it slap down,” former New England Patriots team doctor, Dr. Thomas Gill, told MMQB.com. “So basically, you wear a brace so when you’re running or walking, your foot can have clearance when you swing your leg forward. But it’s not built for speed…You have to be a freakish athlete where you can afford to lose 20 or 25 percent of your speed, at least, and 45 percent of your power, and still be able to compete in the NFL.”
Dr. Gill went on to explain how the brace could lead to more injuries as Smith’s inability to point his toe could leave his foot in awkward positions during tackles, possibly making him more susceptible to injuries like high ankle sprains. Nearly twenty years ago, former Patriots running back Robert Edwards had the same drop foot issue according to Gill. When Edwards attempted to play with the ailment, he didn’t last a single season.